BEagle: To block the offending Javascript you could try pressing F12 to block it in the IE developer tools. This also avoids having to install extra software to deal with it.
A more drastic approach would be to disable Javascript altogether in IE, or having it prompt you before running it every time on every site - Internet Options, Security, Internet zone, then Advanced or something.
Afraid I haven't got IE8 so can't be more detailed. Best of luck!